New 686... My first S&W...

[TravisPNW]

Hi everyone. I posted in the New Member forum but figured I'd post here as well.

Been lurking for the last few weeks and joined today. I grew up around guns and spent a lot of time hunting with Dad... but have been out of the loop the last 25 years.

I've always been a revolver fan and just picked up my first S&W... a 686+ 3". It's got rave reviews and is just beautiful. I went with S&W because well... it's S&W and everything I read online and watched on YouTube told me to get this gun.

I'm aware of the hate towards the lock... but haven't formed my own opinion on it yet.

At any rate, glad to be here!

 

[armorer951]

Welcome to the forum....and ignore the lock, it's harmless despite all the hateful rhetoric.

Hope you get many years of enjoyment out of your new 686. They are very accurate, and a pure joy to shoot.

 

[CH4]

Welcome aboard! You definitely started off on the right foot. Good choice. I am definitely not a fan of the lock, but sometimes ya gotta test the waters.

 

[bigggbbruce]

and ignore the lock, it's harmless despite all the hateful rhetoric.

You're welcome to try it out once. Then put the key in the case and forget you have it.

 

[sammynomas]

Congrats on a great start. My 3" 686+ 3-5-7 series is my favorite of my three L frames. Just seems more balanced and easier pointing to me than my two 4" 586/686's.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[rwsmith]

"Rave" reviews don't cut it..

That is a work of art if I ever saw one. And even if it weren't a showpiece the 686 is a great first revolver to have.

 

[rwsmith]

It's better not to..

I'm aware of the hate towards the lock... but haven't formed my own opinion on it yet.

At any rate, we're glad you are here too.

It's better not to form an opinion on it. it's there. Accept it. That's the best advice I've given anybody in a long time.

 

[D Brown]

That's a really nice looking 686! I know you're going to like it!

Welcome to the Smith & Wesson Forum!

 

[TravisPNW]

Hope you get many years of enjoyment out of your new 686. They are very accurate, and a pure joy to shoot.

Thanks! Hickok45's video was one of the big factors in my decision to buy. He had nothing but good things to say and I'm big on reviews in my purchasing decisions.

That is a work of art if I ever saw one. And even if it weren't a showpiece the 686 is a great first revolver to have.

Another factor in my decision... just a beautiful gun!

At any rate, we're glad you are here too.

It's better not to form an opinion on it. it's there. Accept it. That's the best advice I've given anybody in a long time.

Yeah it actually didn't play any role in my decision. If it did I would have bought a pre-lock gun. I locked it once to verify the mechanism was working and it's been unlocked ever since.

I really don't have any use for it anyway which I'm sure is why some people don't like it. It's just adults at home and I bought a biometic gun safe for storage.

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

 

[apollo99]

Just got a 3" a few months ago, A great balance of shootability and ease of carry, a perfect combination in the K/L frames.

 

[StakeOut]

TravisPNW,enjoy that fine S&W revolver and shoot it often.

I have a few 2 1/2" 686-4 6 shot and at 10 yards indoors I can put just about all shoots in the 10 ring.

I like my L frame 686s so much that I sold off all my beautiful K frames.

At 74 years young I'm a big fan of 2 1/2" and 3" S&W revolvers.

My 686 hand loads in 357 magnum cases are light to medium loadings mostly for paper target shooting.

357 Magnum Case
X-Treme 148gr DEWC Bullet
3.5gr of Titegroup Powder
CCI Standard SPP
OAL 1.365"
Light crimp in the bullet canular

357 Magnum Case
X-Treme 158gr Plated SWC
4.0gr of Titegroup
CCI Standard SPP
OAL 1.590"

Person Defense:
357 Magnum Case
158gr Hornady LSWHP
5.5gr of Unique Powder
CCI Standard SPP
OAL 1.590"

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I have a super hard time deciding which of my revolvers is truly my favorite but this one is under my pillow at night so I guess it has to be way up there.

I do think I like the stocks on your gun better - they are very pretty, indeed.

The lock? I ignore it.

Welcome aboard.

 

[Bill In Texas]

Congrats!!

 

[Ashlander]

You can't go wrong with a 3" 686 Plus (my favorite 686 configuration). Welcome to the forum.

 

[Beauetienne]

Welcome. I have a standard 686 that makes me look good whenever I shoot it.

 

[FifthWheel]

Good choice, congrats. My 3" has about 600 rounds through it and it's really getting smooth. Lock is no problem.

 

[white cloud]

I am almost 65 and have owned pinned, recessed, yada yada S&W revolvers. That said, the one you own is the current apple of my eye. It is a beautiful and very balanced gun. I plan to EDC mine when I get it. Is it a big large for that role? Maybe, but I know one thing is for sure. If you have to use it, you will have a real gun in your hand.

 

[JBTJ]

I just got this 686+ and removed the lock. Because it can, it has and my luck, will jam up. So I removed the lock and plugged the hole.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=314993&stc=1&d=1512440523

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Wow Travis! Nice choice! You did well.

 

[Firehouse]

I don't currently own any IL Smith revolvers. I have an M&P340 without the IL and that's the newest one I have. I've been toying with the idea of a 3" model and the 3-5-7 series 686 plus has my attention. Seriously considering it, thanks for sharing.